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Bowl of homemade slow cooker hamburger helper with parsley garnish on a rustic kitchen table

Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper (Creamy, Cheesy, Better Than the Box!)

This easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper is a cheesy, comforting one-pot meal made from scratch with pantry staples, no boxed mix needed! A dump-and-go crockpot dinner the whole family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: comfort food, dinner, Weeknight Meals
Cuisine: American
Calories: 460
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground beef 85/15 or 90/10 lean recommended
  • 2.5 cups Beef broth Low-sodium preferred
  • 1.5 cups Milk Whole or 2%
  • 8 oz Elbow macaroni Or rotini/small shells
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese Freshly shredded melts best
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste Or use 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • Seasonings
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp Salt Or to taste
  • 0.25 tsp Black pepper Or to taste
  • Optional Add-ins
  • 0.5 cup Diced tomatoes Adds extra flavor and moisture
  • 0.5 cup Diced bell peppers Optional for veggie boost
  • 2 tbsp Cream cheese Optional — for ultra creamy finish

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker (6 qt) Larger if doubling the recipe
  • 1 Skillet (optional) For browning ground beef
  • 1 Cheese grater For freshly shredding cheddar

Method
 

  1. Brown the beef (optional):
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and transfer to the slow cooker.
  3. Add the base:
  4. Into the slow cooker, add beef broth, milk, tomato paste, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  5. Cook low and slow:
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours.
  7. Add pasta:
  8. Stir in uncooked pasta. Cover again and cook for 30–40 minutes, until pasta is tender. Stir once halfway through if possible.
  9. Add cheese:
  10. Turn off heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese (and cream cheese if using). Let sit for 5–10 minutes to thicken.
  11. Serve:
  12. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Add pasta only toward the end to avoid overcooking.
  • Make it dairy-free by using plant-based milk and cheese alternatives.
  • For a gluten-free version, cook GF pasta separately and stir it in before serving.